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Facilities Suspended in Vietnamese Cattle Cruelty Case

VIET NAM - The Australian agriculture authorities have suspended a number of facilities in Viet Nam as part of an investigation into alleged animal cruelty involving cattle exported from Australia.

The abuse was revealed in video footage, which showed what the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources described as 'abhorrent and indefensible treatment'. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) described the footage as 'shocking' and said the live export system needed reviewing.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the department has now suspended 21 facilities in Viet Nam, including three feedlots and 18 abattoirs. It is also conducting exporter control and traceability audits for all eight exporters with supply chains in Viet Nam, due to be finalised by the end of July.

As a result of these audits, two exporters have been directed to cease supply to the Viet Nam market until effective measures have been put in place to address animal control, traceability and verification processes. Other measures have been applied to exporters such as increased reporting requirements, monitoring and supervision.

Australia also found recently that some cattle had been exported to Japan using incorrect procedures, after Japan suspended Australian exports due to detections of bovine Johnes disease (BJD) in a consignment of 300 cattle.